By: Georgia Hartley
Kelly Girtz, the mayor of Athens-Clarke County, talks to the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication students in UGA’s Instructional Plaza South Auditorium on April 19, 2024. Girtz explains what direction the commission is moving in to ensure affordable housing and sustainable land development for Athens residents. (Photo/Georgia Hartley)
Athenians have given their input on what they would like future land use to look like in Athens. Athens-Clarke County (ACC) Mayor Kelly Girtz explained his plans for Athens land use in a recent news conference at the University of Georgia.
According to surveys of ACC residents, the public is looking for more small businesses, walkability, bike paths and green spaces as the Athens population continues to increase.
About 30,000 new people are expected to reach the Athens-Clarke County area by 2045. In order to accommodate this influx of new Athenians, Girtz and the ACC commission have created plans for Affordable Housing and Future Land Use over the next two decades.
“We believe that building our way out of this supply crunch is going to be one of the long-term benefits to the population,” Girtz said.
In addition to the supply issue, rent has increased 54%, but household incomes have only increased 29% according to the Affordable Housing Investment Strategy.
“I think it’s ridiculously expensive for a student, let alone an actual Athens resident,” said Anna Chen, a second-year finance major.
About 4700 households in Athens are severely cost-burdened, meaning greater than 50% of their income goes to rent and utilities, according to Girtz. The Future Land Use Plan for ACC looks to alleviate some of the housing stress for Athens residents and consider community input on land use.
The ACC Mayor and Commission has also dedicated over $2 million to assisting the homeless population. Mayor Girtz will present this year’s budget to the county commission in the coming weeks, which includes a $1 million fund for affordable housing. The hope is that the county will be able to purchase lots that have been “dormant and underutilized,” according to Girtz, and transform them into housing in neighborhoods where the infrastructure already exists.
Jason Jacobs, a candidate for the ACC Commission in District 2, suggested, in an April candidate forum, that better use of existing resources, such as utilizing these types of lots, can aid in helping the homeless population in Athens.
Also among the topics of discussion about affordable housing and land use in Athens has been student housing. The University of Georgia’s admissions office reports that the university enrolls around 40,000 students, each needing a place to live in Athens.
Chen explained that when looking for housing, students often sacrifice proximity to campus for a better price point.
“I’m the first to say that students are residents,” Girtz said.
Girtz addressed these concerns, explaining that high-density, student-oriented housing projects have been approved, not in places where people were already living, but in places that were formerly asphalt parking lots or old banks.
“If we did not permit student-oriented housing, that will put additional pressure on existing neighbors,” Girtz said.
The Future Land Use is currently undergoing public input. This summer, a draft of the Future Land Use Plan will be created and then considered by the mayor and the commission. Athens-Clarke County predicts the plan will see final approval by the end of 2024.
“Among the things we all need is a place to live,” Girtz said.
Why I Wrote the Story:
Land use and affordable housing are hot topics of conversation in my Athens community. I was able to attend a news conference with Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz to understand what the county plans to do to address the lack of affordable housing opportunities, homelessness and the preservation of greenspaces and small businesses. Everyone in Athens should be informed on these issues.